I know this is a shock, but there was a lot of press devoted to going back to Pitt and the new logo. For those who couldn’t catch the press conference earlier, you can now watch it on your computer (windows media), maybe. I was having some trouble getting it to open. It should also show Tyler Palko and H.B. Blades modeling the new football unis, so you can get a better idea of how they look (still don’t like the panels on the sides of the jersey).

The logo seems to have been embraced by Pitt fans. It was unveiled at a news conference yesterday morning, and by early afternoon, the athletic department’s Web-site traffic was way up with people looking to purchase the new merchandise.
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The helmets have the new “Pitt” logo on them instead of a Panther head, and the word “Panthers” is written in block letters across the front of the uniforms. There is also a gold side panel that blends into the pants and the jersey numbers are easier to read.

Palko, a West Allegheny High School graduate, said he’s pleased the university has gone back to its tradition and glory years.

“We’re really excited about it, even though it is not that big of a change,” Palko said. “It is nice to play for Pitt and not the University of Pittsburgh, especially for someone like me because this has always been Pitt to me. It is good to go back to the old days, especially with [assistant] coach [Matt] Cavanaugh and [head] coach Wannstedt being back here and having that tradition.”

All teams’ uniforms will be changed to reflect the new logo, but that process will take at least a year to complete because of the way uniform contracts are written.

So, it might be a few months before we the unveiling of the basketball unis. The blue and gold inkblot that is the panther head, will remain on the outer left thigh of the pants and the right sleeve.

One pleased alum was new football coach Dave Wannstedt, whose team will sport new jerseys and helmets. The block “PITT” will appears on both sides of the helmets, and the word “PANTHERS” will replace “PITTSBURGH” on the fronts of the jerseys.

The Panthers had “Pitt” on their helmets from 1973-96 in a script lettering. The block-style “Pitt” has much earlier origins, dating back as early as the Jock Sutherland coaching era of the 1920s.

“It’s tradition, and that’s what we’re all about here,” Wannstedt said. “I mean, that’s what separates us from the majority of teams in our conference and a lot of the teams that we play, is that we have a great football tradition – and ‘P-I-T-T’ has always been a major part of that.”

But remember, Rutgers did play that first football game.

Looks like the secondary logo, the panther tooth, is consigned to the dustbin of history, along with the “claw marks” on the panels of the basketball unis in the 90s. Somewhere in the office I have the little patch of the tooth they handed out at a game a few years ago.

To further undo what Pederson did, Long said Pitt will follow up by contacting various media outlets, particularly in broadcasting, to let them know it’s OK again to say Pitt and that the new block Pitt should be flashed on the screen as the sanctioned logo for the school.

Look for those changes in time for the NFL draft next weekend.

Shame the only player expected to need the new graphic will be Rob Petitti.

In Penn State country, well about what you’d expect.

Pitt’s back.

The University of Pittsburgh, the school that’s viewed by half of Happy Valley as an archrival and half as an afterthought, has changed its logo for its 19 sports teams, consequently letting us know it is once again acceptable to use the moniker that never really left the Pittsburgh campus or Penn State’s.

The new block-letter, navy blue and gold “Pitt” logo is similar to the script-letter logo that was used from 1973 to 1996. The following year, then-athletic director Steve Pederson decided the university’s image needed to be taken more seriously, and declared that all references to the university (by employees, at least) would be the University of Pittsburgh, at the same time changing the team colors from blue and yellow to navy and gold.

Which was even more of a joke than the often-crude slogans that the rivals of Pitt (isn’t it fun to say?) often imparted. Students at the University of Pittsburgh referred to their teams as “Pitt.” Athletes on those teams said they played for Pitt.
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Fans in Pennsylvania and beyond are curious to see what new coach Dave Wannstedt can do with the newly old-school Pitt. Maybe the former Miami Dolphin boss will even have an idea of how to resurrect another tradition — a November matchup with Penn State.

Well, yeah, but it involves a pasture and putting a nearly 80 year-old man out there.

The student rally last night, was apparently a big hit. I’m still hoping for some first hand reports, but this will do for now.

Last night was not the official start of the 2005 season, but it was a great kickoff for the Wannstedt era. More than 1,000 students were on hand for last night’s spring football pep rally set up by the Panther Pitt and the Student Government Board’s Traditions Committee with the help of Pitt athletics.

People lined up outside more than an hour before the doors opened at 7:30, and when the doors did open, the 500 free T-shirts were gone within 15 minutes.

The turnout was impressive when compared with Notre Dame’s spring pep rally held for new head coach Charlie Weis, which featured fewer than 300 students.
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Pitt fans will have another chance to rally together before the season. Wannstedt mentioned during his speech that he wants to do another student function during training camp.

He is extremely excited for the upcoming season and called out to students last night.

“You’ve got our commitment,” he shouted onstage. “You must do your part.”

He pointed out to all the players who were scattered amongst the crowd, saying that students and athletes must work together to succeed.

“If we’re going to be a complete program, a great program,” Wannstedt said, “it involves not just the coach, not just the players, but the student body and everybody.”

If Pitt can draw 1,000 students during training camp (and before classes start), then we will know just how juiced the campus is for the season.